From the Muse to Hunting and Gathering and now Migration

An interview with Stu Hunter for Jazz Australia.

The Australian declared Hunter’s previous album in this series as “a milestone in contemporary jazz”. His music has a trace of dynamite smoke about it, such is its passion and smoulder.

JK: The Migration is part of a trilogy.  Would you like to tell us about the theme behind the trilogy?

SH: Firstly I would say that ‘the migration’ is the third record in an ongoing project line. So far it is a trilogy but stay tuned…

If there is a theme to the work as a whole it is a response to the things happening in my life throughout this process. Falling in love, building a family, recognising the life path of creativity and process and moving past end goals. It is also about exploring a long-form concept to composition and performance which to me mirrors that creativity pathway.

The Migration is specifically about the movement and circulation of ideas especially in the current climate of global communication. It is about my personal journey through inherited belief systems and finding my own voice and autonomy. It’s also a compositional response to the beautiful cultural and musical influences that I absorb living in a wonderfully diverse nation such as Australia.

 

 

JK:  The previous two albums have received critical acclaim and won album of the Year at the Bell Awards and Best Independent Jazz album in the Independent Music Awards in 2010. How long have you been working on these pieces

SH: I started working on these pieces in 2007. I worked on The migration for about four years.

JK:  As far as jazz ensembles go, this is a star studded band. How closely have these musicians influenced the work?

SH: I am very lucky to have the opportunity to work with the musicians on this record. They are all master musicians and band leaders and close friends. Their influence on me as players and as people is immense. I have played music with all of them for years. They inspire me, they are intricately woven into the fabric of my musical life. Without these particular musicians I don’t believe the music would exist in the state it is now. I have written every part with them in my mind. They are integral for me to the whole compositional and creative process.

JK: What can the audience expect to hear on the night?

SH: On the night, we will be playing the migration in it’s entirety. It is a suite and as such is played from beginning to end without a break. This will be the first live performance of the work and also the first performance since recording the record. I would come along expecting fireworks as the ensemble has the power to scale new heights with every rendition. There is much scope for the individuals to express themselves within the composition and the audience can expect fierce interaction, powerful grooves and a joyous outpouring from a group that loves playing music together.

The Migration

9 January 8.00pm

City Recital Hall – MORE INFO

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